Slow-Cooked Lamb Shanks with Bush Tomato and Aniseed Myrtle Jus
Fall-off-the-bone lamb shanks slow-cooked in a rich jus infused with Australian bush tomatoes and aniseed myrtle for deep, earthy flavors. This australian-inspired lamb ready in about 200 minutes pairs about 300 g each lamb shanks, olive oil, large, diced onion for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 480 calories and feeds 4, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with a quick salad or grain on the side. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.
Ingredients
- 4, about 300 g each lamb shanks
- 3 tbsp olive oil
- 1 large, diced onion
- 2 medium, diced carrots
- 2, diced celery stalks
- 4, minced garlic cloves
- 1/4 cup, chopped dried bush tomatoes
- 2 tsp, crushed aniseed myrtle leaves
- 1 cup red wine
- 2 cups beef stock
- 2 tbsp tomato paste
- 2 sprigs fresh rosemary
- 1 1/2 tsp sea salt
- 1 tsp black pepper
Instructions
- Step 1: Preheat oven to 325°F (160°C). Heat 3 tbsp olive oil in a large Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Season 4 lamb shanks with 1 1/2 tsp sea salt and 1 tsp black pepper, then brown them on all sides, about 8-10 minutes total. Remove and set aside.
- Step 2: In the same pot, add 1 large diced onion, 2 diced carrots, 2 diced celery stalks, and 4 minced garlic cloves. Sauté over medium heat for 5-7 minutes until softened and fragrant.
- Step 3: Stir in 1/4 cup chopped dried bush tomatoes, 2 tsp crushed aniseed myrtle leaves, and 2 tbsp tomato paste. Cook for 2 minutes until fragrant.
- Step 4: Pour in 1 cup red wine and simmer for 5 minutes to reduce slightly.
- Step 5: Return lamb shanks to the pot, add 2 cups beef stock and 2 fresh rosemary sprigs. Bring to a simmer, cover with a lid, and transfer to the oven.
- Step 6: Slow-cook for 2 1/2 to 3 hours until the lamb is tender and falling off the bone. Remove lamb and rosemary sprigs, then reduce the sauce on the stovetop over medium heat until it thickens and coats the back of a spoon.
- Step 7: Serve the lamb shanks drizzled with the bush tomato and aniseed myrtle jus alongside mashed potatoes or roasted root vegetables.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Slow-Cooked Lamb Shanks with Bush Tomato and Aniseed Myrtle Jus take to make?
Total time is about 200 minutes (20 min prep + 180 min cook). Most home cooks find this fits comfortably into a weeknight; double the batch on Sunday for two dinners.
How do I store leftover Slow-Cooked Lamb Shanks with Bush Tomato and Aniseed Myrtle Jus?
Cool to room temperature within 2 hours, then store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat covered in a 350°F oven for 10-12 minutes, or microwave at 70% power in 60-second bursts to keep about 300 g each lamb shanks from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Slow-Cooked Lamb Shanks with Bush Tomato and Aniseed Myrtle Jus?
Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.
How do I scale Slow-Cooked Lamb Shanks with Bush Tomato and Aniseed Myrtle Jus for a different number of people?
The recipe is written for 4 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 4). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.
What goes well with Slow-Cooked Lamb Shanks with Bush Tomato and Aniseed Myrtle Jus?
Australian lamb like this pair well with a simple grain (rice, couscous, or crusty bread), a quick salad with acid (lemon vinaigrette, pickled onions), and a pan sauce or yogurt-based dip. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" to get specific side suggestions.
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